A real life struggle of addiction and codependency. While a son battles substance use, a mother desperately learns to let go. You will be shocked and entertained as you read of their separate journeys to freedom.

"how wrong, how twisted, how ill-fated it should be that you were the one to bring out my poetry." A collection of poetry written by Kara Petrovic, a 21 year old who struggles with PTSD, and her diagnoses between Bipolar II Disorder and Borderline Personality. These poems give a look into the heartbreak, anguish, and ultimately, acceptance that comes to those afflicted with Mental Illness. Spanning across three years, they are an anthology of her relationships -- with those who loved her, those who did not, those whom she loved and the way she tried to love herself.

In her familiar style, Pamela Des Barres shines light on the people whose art remains the background music to our popular culture.

Once, the Blood Orphans had it all: a million-dollar recording contract from Warner Brothers, killer hooks, and cheekbones that could cut glass. Four pretty boys from Los Angeles, they were supposed to be the next big thing, future kings of rock and roll. But something happened on the way to glory, and now, two years later, along with their coke-fueled, mohawked female manager, they have washed up in Amsterdam for the final show of their doomed and dismal European tour. The singer has become a born-again Buddhist who preaches from the stage, the bass player's raging eczema has turned his hands into a pulpy mess, the drummer is a sex-fiend tormented by the misdeeds of his porn-king father, and the guitar player -- the only talented one -- is thoroughly cowed by the constant abuse of his bandmates. As they stumble through their final day together, the Blood Orphans find themselves on a comic tour of frustration, danger, excitement, and just possibly, redemption.

When Michael Cooley returned to his childhood home in St. Louis, many of his old friends offered him this greeting: 'Cooley, I thought you were dead.' And by many accounts, he should have been dead. Michael Cooley was a member of two dysfunctional families. His mother in St. Louis was an alcoholic. His stepmother and stepbrothers in Gainesville, Texas, abused him relentlessly—both physically and verbally. As a child, Mike bounced from school to school and from city to city. As a teenager, he turned to gangs and drugs for a sense of acceptance. Eventually, he ended up homeless, sleeping on rooftops and in alleys, and living out of his car. But after living as an abused child, a homeless and drug-addicted teenager, and a completely lost young adult, Mike decided to start over as a different person. Rock Bottom—From the Streets to Success tells Mike's story from his childhood in the 1960s until today. Mike escapes the darkness of his past and eventually puts his life back together to become a success in business and in his personal life. Follow Mike as he overcomes the hardships of his childhood and shares his experiences in hopes of helping others who may be facing their own challenges.

Reveals proven solutions for bettering the lives of people with serious mental illness, their families, and their communities. Leading scientist and gifted storyteller Rachel A. Pruchno, PhD, was shocked to encounter misinformation, ignorance, and intolerance when she sought to help her daughter, newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Turning to the scientific literature, Dr. Pruchno eventually found solutions, but she realized many others would need help to understand the highly technical writing and conflicting findings. In Beyond Madness—part memoir, part history, and part empathetic guide—Dr. Pruchno draws on her decades as a mental health professional, her own family's experiences with mental illness, and extensive interviews with people with serious mental illness to discuss how individuals live with these illnesses, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression. The book • presents real-world vignettes that vividly describe what it is like to experience some of the most troubling symptoms of a severe mental illness • offers practical advice for how individuals, family members, and communities can help people with a serious mental illness • explains how people with mental illness can find competent health care providers, identify treatment regimens, overcome obstacles to treatment, cope with stigma, and make decisions • provides insight into programs, such as Crisis Intervention Training, that can help people undergoing mental health crisis avoid jail and get the treatment they need • takes aim at the popular concept of "rock bottom" and reveals why this is such a harmful and simplistic approach • advocates for evidence-based care • documents examples of communities that have embraced successful strategies for promoting recovery • shows that people with serious mental illnesses can live productive lives Meticulously researched and engagingly written, Beyond Madness is a call to action and a promise of hope for everyone who cares about and interacts with the millions of people who have serious mental illness. Family members, friends, teachers, police, primary care doctors, and clergy—people who recognize that something is wrong but don't know how to help—will find the book's practical advice invaluable.

This book is my story of how God brought good out of a very bad situation in my life and brought me back from a dark path, into His marvelous light. He saved me from myself, an abusive relationship, and so much more. This book should come with a warning label to the people in my life who had no clue about the secret life I was living before I became a Christ follower. My life as a Christ follower began in 2013 after a life-changing year of tragedy and heartbreak, not to mention a few broken bones and losing both parents only six days apart. I firmly believe God saved me for a reason and that He has a purpose and plan for my life. He showed me a different path than I had ever traveled before. Once I realized how to be still, listen to God, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in my life, I found my purpose in writing the messages He gives me, and I enjoy sharing them to encourage others and lead them to Christ. He used a horrible year to change my life forever. I felt compelled to write this book not only for my own healing, but if even one person who reads it is touched, inspired, or encouraged in some way, it is worth it. I find it very ironic that God has me revealing the things I hid for so long. My life is not my own. I was purchased with His blood. I believe it is my duty to respect my body, guard my heart, and put on the whole armor of God every day as I surrender myself to Him in every way. As a faithful servant of Christ, I am humbled and grateful for His grace and forgiveness.